Planning has been approved for a landmark £50m waterfront scheme at Ocean Village in Southampton.

Southampton City Council planners approved MDL Marinas' 'super-yacht'-inspired project which includes a luxury spa hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant and a rooftop champagne bar.

MDL Marinas has teamed up with Harbour Hotels on the plans. The ground floor of the hotel will include a large open plan lounge, restaurant and bar which will extend out onto a terrace at the end of the existing promontory. Details of the spa are yet to be confirmed.

Harbour Hotels is owned by property investors Nicolas James Group and the company currently operates five hotels along the south coast.

Chair of Nicolas James Group, Nicolas Roach, added: "Southampton city lacks a five star hotel product.

"We intend to bring a luxury waterfront hotel and spa to the city, along with our award winning jetty restaurant concept."

The opening of the hotel will form the first phase of the waterfront project. The second phase of the scheme will include three apartment buildings and a mix of restaurants, shops and offices.

The Ocean Village project was first announced in 2005 but was put on hold in 2008 due to the economic downturn.

Image: Nicolas James Group currently operates five hotels on the south coast